The budget timeline is long, partly because we want something that’s so important to be thoroughly vetted by department heads, policy makers, executives, media outlets, and our bosses (you, the residents), and partly so that you get to have as much opportunity as possible to give us feedback. Take a look at the calendar here.

Wednesday, September 12

Where: City County Building - 210 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd

What: Human Services Budget Hearing

When: 6pm

Who: All residents of Dane County are encouraged to attend. The hearing will start with an update from county officials. Those with disability issues or child care responsibilities are invited to testify immediately after this update. All others are then invited to testify with a three minute limit for your remarks.

Thursday, September 13

Where: City County Building - 210 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd

What: Department Budget Hearing

When: 6pm

Who: All residents of Dane County are encouraged to attend and speak to all departments other than the Department of Human Services. The hearing will start with an update from county officials. Those with disability issues or child care responsibilities are invited to testify immediately after this update. All others are then invited to testify with a three minute limit for your remarks.

Our challenge is to find a balance between making sure your voice is heard, and giving everyone equal space and time to speak. By limiting public hearings to one-way conversation, with set time limits, we're finding a balance giving you confidence that your county officials are hearing you, and giving everyone in the room, especially the more soft spoken of our neighbors, the ability to be heard.

I strongly recommend you reach out to your county board supervisor and request a 1:1 conversation if you have in depth requests or questions. This will allow the more seamless conversation and Q & A that is hard to accomplish in larger groups.